bombastic

adjective

bom·​bas·​tic bäm-ˈba-stik How to pronounce bombastic (audio)
: marked by or given to speech or writing that is given exaggerated importance by artificial or empty means : marked by or given to bombast : pompous, overblown
bombastically adverb

Example Sentences

a bombastic speech intended to impress the voters in her congressional district
Recent Examples on the Web Then again, the opposite problem can also be true: Board members can be too bombastic and performative when voicing their opinions, meaning only a few people dominate a discussion. Lila Maclellan, Fortune, 10 May 2023 Entrepreneurs betting on the technology are making bombastic claims about what their tech is capable of doing. Khari Johnson, WIRED, 3 Mar. 2023 The former, whose threat was a Texas-size asteroid, was a crowded, bombastic action thriller, rippling with broad humor and even broader set pieces with barely enough time for audience members to catch their breath. Elise Hammond, CNN, 26 Sep. 2022 The Kremlin on Friday replaced Dmitry Rogozin, the bombastic head of the Russian Space Agency, who’d threatened to end the partnership with the United States on the International Space Station over the U.S. response to the war in Ukraine. Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 15 July 2022 Infused with emotional language, the narration in Katia and Maurice’s writing reminded Dosa of the playful and bombastic voice-over in some of François Truffaut’s films and the French New Wave in general — a movement that occurred during the Kraffts’ youth. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 Contain it on a smaller scale with slightly less world-ending stakes than the bombastic, globe-trotting core films. Jen Yamato, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2023 He was acquitted six years later after a bombastic trial during which the victim never testified. Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2023 That should be good news to bombastic Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who openly abhors AI giant ChatGPT. Jane Thier, Fortune, 17 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bombastic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

bombast + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bombastic was in 1660

Dictionary Entries Near bombastic

Cite this Entry

“Bombastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombastic. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

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